Question for Jeff Rath (5-String related)

[highway_star]

How much does the string spacing increase using your modified saddles compared to the ones found on a 4003s5?

[jwr2]

the 4003s5 comes with a 2 1/16" +/- spacing ... on some it is more like 2 1/8" most players find that hard to do finger playing on ... I had a machinist make me stainless steel replacement saddles and then I cut the grooves to be 2 1/4" which I find to be a significant improvement ... you can get a little wider spacing but the limiting factor here is the width of the 4003 high gain pickup ... 2 1/4" is about its maximum effect width ... you might be able to squeak another 1/16" or even 1/8" ...

any machinist can copy the ric saddles and then you can cut your own string grooves ... the extra distance between strings makes the bass easier to play ...

[rickenbrother]

I recently got a set from Jeff Rath. If I have the time, I will install them on my S/5 blue beast this weekend. I can't wait to get that bass easier to play fingerstyle.

[highway_star]

At 2 1/4, that means that there about .45 inches between the string centers. My Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn has .75 center-to-center and my Modulus is about .65. I wonder if that's still too tight. I'd be interested in hearing how your experiment works, Joey.

I find using a 5-string works well in my band and so I wind up using the Lakland and Modulus due to the string spacing. And that's too bad because I want to keep the Ric sound in my arsenal.

[jwr2]

for me the perfect string spacing is 2 1/2" or 1/2" per string 3/4" per string is too wide and that makes for really wide necks ... 2 1/16" is too tight ... 2 1/4" is workable but you have to play it for a while and get used to it ... 2 3/8" feels better and 2 1/2" feels right ... 2 5/8" is ok but the 2 3/4" and 3" spacings are too wide for my fingers on my left and right hands ...

the 2 3/4 and 3" spacings are for thumb slappers ... so when they go wild they can still hit the right string ...

A 4 string Ric bass is 2" to 2 1/16" that is 1/2" per string ... 1/2" per string is a good distance on any bass ... 2 1/4" makes for a string spacing of .45" between strings ... not quite the comfortable .5" per string but about 1/20" per string short of that distance ...

[jwr2]

using the hb1 or hb2 pickups I can get a 2 3/8" spacing which is closer to my 2 1/2" desired range ...

[charlyg]

I can attest that it doesn't take long to get used to the string spacing on the 4-2-5. I hated most 5 strings, other than Pedulla and Hohner Pro-V, because they were too wide.

[atomic_punk]

Is a 4004-5 wider?

[highway_star]

Maybe I'll try the new saddles before I give up on this bass. Do you have any more, Jeff?

[rickengeezer]

I played one of the 4004/5's at Ed Romans a year or so ago...it felt like playing an aircraft carrier after using the 4003s/5 for years (original saddles). I didn't like it, but if you've been hungering for wide open spaces, this ought to suit you once they get the kinks out of the pickups, or whatever the issue was.

[jwr2]

the 4004CII5 has a string spacing at the bridge of 2 3/4" ... the same as a musicman 5 ... that is why I never bought one ... if it had a spacing of 2 1/2" I would have ordered at least one ...

I have a few extra sets of 5 string saddles ... with springs and allen head screws ...

[atomic_punk]

Sorry, I should have clarified, a 4004 MODIFIED into a 5 string.

[highway_star]

OK. I'll try a set first before I make a final decision.

[dwade]

Jeff - I'm interested in Steve Coopers question, Ron knows why. What spacing do you get when you convert a 4004 4 string to a 5 string? Is it 1/2"?(nominally?) I dont use a pick.

[rickenbrother]

Ron, don't give up on the S/5 so easily.

I may be checking out some bridges soon, to see what 5 string bridge would go best on a 4004. I'm sure Jeff Rath knows.